Cape Cod the islands · The Islands in Cape Cod
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The Islands in Cape Cod
The Islands in Cape Cod
Martha's Vineyard can be reached via ferries from several Cape Cod harbors:
The Island Queen operates out of Falmouth Harbor (not Woods Hole) every 90 minutes to Oak Bluffs from May - October. This is by far the quickest and most hassle-free route to the island if you aren't bringing a car - crossing time is 35 minutes dock-to-dock. $18 round trip, bicycles are $6 extra. No reservations required or accepted, although the company does recommend being at the dock 45 minutes prior to departure to ensure you receive a place on the boat. 75 Falmouth Heights Road, Falmouth +1 508-548-4800.
The Steamship Authority is the only ferry line that carries motor vehicles to the island, and offers hourly departures from Woods Hole to Vineyard Haven year round, with additional departures to Oak Bluffs during the summer. Crossing time is about 45 minutes. Reservations are recommended for passengers, and mandatory for vehicles. 1 Cowdry Rd, Woods Hole and 65 South St, Hyannis , Passenger Reservations: +1 508-495-3278; Vehicle Reservations: +1 508-477-8600, .
The Pied Piper also operating out of Falmouth Harbor during the summer months, offers the only ferry service to Edgartown on the eastern end of the island. 278 Scranton Ave, Falmouth.
Hy-Line Cruises operates a high speed, one hour ferry from the Ocean Street Dock in Hyannis to Oak Bluffs, as well as a two and one quarter hour traditional ferry during the summer months. Both options cost significantly more and take longer than departures from Falmouth and Woods Hole, but considering the time, gas and hassle you'll save driving to the departure point, it may be worth the added time expense. +1 508-778-2600, .
With one exception, all ferries to Nantucket depart from Hyannis.
The Steamship Authority carries vehicles and passengers to the island several times each day, year round, crossing time is around three hours. SSA also operates a one hour fast ferry from the Hyannis terminal, although cars are not carried on this route.
Hy-Line operates a year round high speed service to Nantucket on the M/V Grey Lady III, and a traditional three hour ferry during the summer.
Freedom Cruise Lines runs an 80 minute crossing from Harwichport to Nantucket from Memorial Day-Labor Day only. Although departures are somewhat limited, and fares are higher than Hyannis, this option may be more convenient for those staying on the lower and outer Cape. Reservations are strongly recommended, as the company states that popular weekend sailings can be sold out several weeks in advance. Harwichport Harbor 720 Main Street (Route 28), Harwichport +1 508-432-8999.
Monomoy Island, is actually two islands. The larger South island was inhabited with a lighthouse until a hurricane wiped the town out in the 1860's. Today, Monomoy is a national wildlife refuge.
The smaller North Island is open to the public during daylight hours and easily accessible. Hiking, fishing, birding, and enjoying the beauty of some of Cape Cod's most secluded and untouched beaches are all popular activities, although you can't hunt or camp overnight. You can either take your own boat, or sail with Rip Ryder in Chatham (+1 508-237-0420 or ) who offers several daily fishing and birding shuttles from June through September ($20 round-trip).
The more remote and larger South Monomoy, however is a different story. While technically open to the public, access is limited. You will need a permit, and your own boat (or a charter). Having a guide recognized by the wildlife refuge service is highly recommended, as you stand a much better chance of obtaining a permit if one agrees to accompany you. National Geographic, NOAA, and some educational institutions (such as Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute) run expeditions to South Monomoy, and it may be worth seeing if you can join one of these groups as it will save a lot of the hassle involved with going on your own. For the 2011 season, Rip Ryder (see above) will reportedly also be running occasional tours to South Monomoy, including arranging the required guide. Call for dates and reservations.
Some other boat lines claim to run trips to Monomoy, it should be noted that none of them actually land at Monomoy - although do provide ample Seal watching opportunities near the shoreline.
The Most Frequently Asked Travel Questions about Cape Cod
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Cape Cod Travel Guide from Wikitravel. Many thanks to all Wikitravel contributors. Text is available under Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0, images are available under various licenses, see each image for details.